176 The Indian government has expanded the scope of its draft Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2025, bringing major global app stores under regulation for the first time. The rules, issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), apply to Google Play, Apple App Store, Samsung App Store, as well as PC platforms like Steam and Epic Games.  Under the framework, any “online game service provider” — including app stores, engines like Unreal and Godot, or Android emulators — is covered. Providers seeking to register an e-sport or social game must apply to the proposed Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI). The body will have quasi-judicial powers equivalent to a civil court, able to summon individuals, examine records, and enforce compliance. Interestingly, not all social games will require registration; some may be exempt if deemed safe and age-appropriate. Oversight will be shared: the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will regulate promotion of online social games, while the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will handle e-sports recognition. Industry experts have raised concerns over feasibility. Technology and gaming lawyer Jay Sayta said registering millions of existing games is “practically impossible” and warned that excessive bureaucracy could stifle innovation. MeitY has invited public comments until October 31, 2025, signalling that stakeholder feedback will play a key role in shaping the final law. For global tech giants like Google and Apple, the Act introduces a new layer of accountability in one of the fastest-growing gaming markets in the world. You Might Be Interested In Real Money Gaming Ban Spurs Ad Shake-Up CTV Ad Prices Fall as Inventory Surges, Forcing Strategic Reset Retail Media Growth Reflected in Digiday Awards Amazon announces layoffs among corporate staff as AI reshapes internal operations Contextual Targeting Outperforms Behavioral Ads in Privacy-First Markets Generative AI reshapes marketing: 73% of teams now onboard
